German artist Michael Moebius wins historic $120 million in court, setting new standard for intellectual property protection

2023-05-17 14:14:39

Chicago (ots/PRNewswire) – Famous German artist Michael Moebius has won a monumental legal victory. In a copyright dispute, he won a $120 million judgment against 399 companies that had violated his copyrights. The judgment, which is now officially unappealable, is final and sets a new standard for protecting intellectual property rights in the art world.

Moebius’ adorable bubblegum portraits by Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, which were created in a meticulous painting process in 2012, have catapulted him into the stratosphere of contemporary pop art. These iconic creations have graced the covers of world-renowned publications such as the Robb Report, increasing their notoriety significantly. Despite this meteoric success, these works are among the most injured works of art ever. Emerging in the form of unauthorized reproductions in bustling street markets around the world and in the digital vastness of the internet, they reflect the omnipresence of world-renowned luxury brands.

In an environment where high-profile luxury houses such as Hermès, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Dior face massive infringements, Moebius’ distinctive works face similar challenges. This parallel underscores not only the global appeal and high demand for Moebius’ creations, but also the seminal importance of this court case in protecting the sanctity of original works of art and intellectual property.

The case, which was initially kept under wraps and later made public (Fallnummer 1:22-CV-06079), was served by the law firm of Whitewood Law PLLC and resulted in a significant judgment of $120 million, the most ever awarded to a living independent artist. The judgment underscores the immense value of authors’ rights and sets a precedent for future litigation. It shows that artists can successfully obtain damages that exceed the cost of litigation – an unprecedented achievement in modern copyright law.

Moebius, along with Kevin Esfandi and his legal team, will continue to take vigorous action against all infringers. This historic ruling is an important milestone in the fight for artistic rights and the protection of priceless creative works, ensuring the protection and respect of artists’ intellectual property rights.

Information about Michael Moebius

German artist Michael Moebius has achieved international renown with his legendary pop art creations. His bubblegum portraits of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn are acclaimed around the world, and he continues to push the boundaries of contemporary art while championing artists’ intellectual property rights. For more information, see

Info@MichaelMoebius.com